Oakwood Garden Club tour, tea this weekend

Looking for an alternative to the usual Mother's Day gifts this year? I love the idea of taking mom - or a few generations of moms - to the Oakwood Garden Club's annual Garden Tour and Victorian Tea.

You have to act quick as tickets must be purchased in advance, by Thursday, May 1, but there's still a little time.

The 25th annual tea this Saturday and Sunday in the neighborhood near downtown Raleigh features walking tours of some of the best gardens of Historic Oakwood and a formal tea with vintage china, hand-selected teas from Tin Roof Teas and a variety of sweet and savory treats provided by local businesses. The tea lasts about an hour and guests often don their favorite hats and tea-wear (though comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended).

Some of the tea times are sold out, but others on both Saturday and Sunday remain. Tickets are $30 each. The tickets support the garden club's community service, beautification and preservation projects.